Wilderness Explorer
Former name: Spirit of Discovery
Cruise line
UnCruise Adventures
Wilderness Explorer Review and Specifications
Specifications of Wilderness Explorer
| Year built | 1976 / Age : 44 |
| Flag state | USA |
| Builder | Eastern Shipbuilding Group (Panama City, Florida USA) |
| Class | ice-strengthened expedition ship |
| Owner | InnerSea Discoveries Alaska Inc |
| Operator | UnCruise Adventures |
| Speed | 11 kn / 20 kph / 13 mph |
| Length (LOA) | 57 m / 187 ft |
| Beam (width) | 11 m / 36 ft |
| Gross Tonnage | 910 gt |
| Passengers | 74 - 84 |
| Crew | 26 |
| Passengers-to-space ratio | 12 |
| Decks | 3 |
| Cabins | 37 |
| Decks with cabins | 3 |
| Last Refurbishment | 2012 |
| Former names | Spirit of Discovery |
Review of Wilderness Explorer
In 2012, MS Wilderness Explorer joined the UnCruise Adventures fleet as the company's 3rd expedition ship. Originally built in 1976 by “Eastern Shipbuilding” as the 86-passenger “Spirit of Discovery” (for Cruise West), the boat was extensively renovated in 2012 in order to cruise on Alaska-Glacier Bay itineraries. Like all UnCruise ships, Wilderness Explorer is US-flagged and crewed.
History - construction and ownership
The 910-ton, 74-passenger ship Wilderness Explorer cruises in Southeast Alaska during summer months. Ship’s hull design and her shallow draft allow easy access to Alaska’s wildlife and a variety of adventure excursions. Each Un-Cruise Adventures’ ship navigates together with a fishing boat that is fully-equipped.
Un-Cruise Adventures (formerly American Safari Cruises) is an USA-based, wholly-owned cruise company, a subsidiary of InnerSea Discoveries Alaska. In 2013, the American Safari Cruises line was renamed to "Un-Cruise Adventures". Currently, the company has 2 headquarters - main headquarters in Seattle WA and second in Juneau AK.
Cruise itinerary program
MS Wilderness Explorer schedule calendar includes Alaska small ship cruises departing from Juneau, Ketchikaand Sitka.
Cabins
Wilderness Explorer has 3 passenger decks and only 37 cabins, all of which are Oceanview. The cabin grades number is 3. Wilderness Explorer has a lounge that is much larger than the one on board the other Un-Cruise Adventures’ vessels. The staterooms, even though the same size, feel much bigger.
Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks
Meals onboard the Wilderness Explorer are served buffet-style at set times. Soda, juice and lemonade are included in the cruise price. The pastry chef guarantees guests will replenish calories quickly.
Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport
Wilderness Explorer has a Spa area with sauna, massage room, fitness equipment and a hot tub. The ship also features a Lounge, Bar (Douglas fir) and Library. The Un-Cruise Explorer ship easily visits areas that larger ships cannot and offers adventure equipment including paddle boards, kayaks, inflatable skiffs, hydrophone and underwater camera (linked to yacht’s lounge and stateroom TVs).
Wilderness Explorer - user reviews and comments
Wilderness Explorer ship related cruise news
- Cruise Industry
UnCruise Adventures Announces 2020 Alaska Cruises
UnCruise Adventures announced its schedule of Alaska voyages for 2020 with a total of 117 departures on 7 inclusive itineraries throughout Southeast...
May 25, 2019 - Accidents
Humpback Whale Gets Entangled in Anchor of Cruise Ship in Alaska
A cruise ship sailing in Southeast Alaska has cut its anchor free on Sunday, August 27, to release a humpback whale that was tangled in the anchor...
August 30, 2017 - Accidents
Alaska Bear Mauling Two Guides: Details
A bear that mauled a couple of cruise ship wilderness guides during an Alaska hiking excursion attacked so fast that there was little time...
August 28, 2016 - show more news
Other UnCruise Adventures cruise ships
Wilderness Explorer Wiki
In 2012, the Wilderness Explorer ship became the 3rd expedition cruise ship in the fleet of the Un-Cruise company. Originally built for the Cruise West line (as the 86-passenger MV Spirit of Discovery), the vessel was extensively renovated to accommodate 76 passengers on Alaska Glacier Bay cruise itineraries between Sitka and Juneau.
Wilderness Explorer features a larger lounge compared the other Un-Cruise ships. Its passenger cabins, even though with the same footage, feel bigger.
All Un-Cruise ships have navy blue coloured hulls. The Explorer ship is a great choice for those who like expedition-style Alaska cruising and activities, combined with onboard luxury amenities. The other Un-Cruise "Wilderness" ships are Discoverer and Adventurer.
Wilderness Explorer is a typical expedition cruise ship equipped with paddle boards and kayaks; inflatable skiffs; hiking poles. The ship also has a hydrophone (for below water surface sounds) and underwater camera (real-time images are displayed on all the TVs onboard).
Together with some of its fleet mates, this ship was formerly owned and operated as "Spirit of Discovery" by the Cruise West line (1973-2010, now defunct). Based in Seattle WA (USA), at its peak Cruise West had a fleet of 9 small ships (capacity between 78 and 138 passengers). They operated on cruise itineraries in Alaska, British Columbia and also in the Pacific Ocean (Sea of Cortes, Panama, South Pacific islands, East Asia and Russia). The line ceased operations in September 2010.
From the former Cruise West fleet are also the ships Spirit of Columbia (Baranof Dream), Spirit of Alaska (Admiralty Dream), Spirit of Glacier Bay (Chichagof Dream), Spirit of Endeavour (Safari Endeavour), Spirit of ’98 (Safari Legacy, now SS Legacy), Spirit of Yorktown (Americana).
Wilderness Explorer Itineraries
The below listed Wilderness Explorer cruise prices on itineraries are only indicative and Per Person (in US dollars, based on double occupancy). These are the cheapest UnCruise Adventures fares on the ship’s lowest category cabins available for booking. Cruise fares typically change with departure dates approaching, last minute deals, discounts, promotions, independent travel agency offers.
| Date | Cruise Name | Departure Port | Price from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Apr 04 | 7 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau | Ketchikan | ||
| 2020 Apr 11 | 7 days, round-trip 7 Night Alaskas Glacier Country Cruise | Juneau | ||
| 2020 Apr 18 | 14 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Sitka | Ketchikan | $6647 | |
| 2020 May 02 | 14 days, one-way from Sitka to Ketchikan | Sitka | $7600 | |
| 2020 May 02 | 7 days, one-way from Sitka to Juneau | Sitka | $3792 | |
| 2020 May 09 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan | Juneau | $4197 | |
| 2020 May 16 | 14 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Sitka | Ketchikan | $8186 | |
| 2020 May 16 | 7 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau | Ketchikan | $4205 | |
| 2020 May 23 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Sitka | Juneau | $4403 | |
| 2020 May 30 | 14 days, one-way from Sitka to Ketchikan | Sitka | $8204 | |
| 2020 May 30 | 7 days, one-way from Sitka to Juneau | Sitka | $4387 | |
| 2020 Jun 06 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan | Juneau | $4202 | |
| 2020 Jun 13 | 14 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Sitka | Ketchikan | $8948 | |
| 2020 Jun 13 | 7 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau | Ketchikan | $4201 | |
| 2020 Jun 20 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Sitka | Juneau | $5202 | |
| 2020 Jun 27 | 14 days, one-way from Sitka to Ketchikan | Sitka | $9402 | |
| 2020 Jun 27 | 7 days, one-way from Sitka to Juneau | Sitka | $5199 | |
| 2020 Jul 04 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan | Juneau | $4695 | |
| 2020 Jul 11 | 14 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Sitka | Ketchikan | $9391 | |
| 2020 Jul 11 | 7 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau | Ketchikan | $4688 | |
| 2020 Jul 18 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Sitka | Juneau | $5195 | |
| 2020 Jul 25 | 14 days, one-way from Sitka to Ketchikan | Sitka | $9387 | |
| 2020 Jul 25 | 7 days, one-way from Sitka to Juneau | Sitka | $5205 | |
| 2020 Aug 01 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan | Juneau | $4703 | |
| 2020 Aug 08 | 14 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Sitka | Ketchikan | $9397 | |
| 2020 Aug 08 | 7 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau | Ketchikan | $4699 | |
| 2020 Aug 15 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Sitka | Juneau | $5185 | |
| 2020 Aug 22 | 14 days, one-way from Sitka to Ketchikan | Sitka | $8948 | |
| 2020 Aug 22 | 7 days, one-way from Sitka to Juneau | Sitka | $5189 | |
| 2020 Aug 29 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan | Juneau | $4192 | |
| 2020 Sep 05 | 7 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau | Ketchikan | $4190 | |
| 2020 Sep 12 | 7 days, round-trip 7 Night Alaskas Glacier Country Cruise | Juneau | $3800 | |
| 2020 Sep 19 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan | Juneau | $3194 | |
| 2020 Sep 26 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan | Juneau | $3193 |
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